10 purchases analysts say to avoid in 2014

SACRAMENTO -It's never too early to start thinking about ways to save money this year.

Consumer analysts at marketwatch.comput together a list of 10 itemsbuyers should consideravoiding in 2014.

GPS Devices:They can cost anywhere from $70 to $300, but they're also available on most smartphones or free to download.

DVD and Blu-ray Players: Analysts advise leaving the DVD and Blu-ray players on the shelvesthis yeardue tocheaper alternatives including streaming movies from Internet-based subscription services like Hulu and Netflix.

Hotel Stays:Demand is rising for hotels and so are the room rates, according to marketwatch.com. The average price is expected to be $115.68 for a room. That's up nearly 15 percent since four years ago.

Extra Legroom:Some airlines charge an additional$180 for roomier seats, but travelers can generally pay the same or less to be upgraded to business class where the seats are much more comfortable.

Two-Year Phone Contracts: A majority of providers are either moving away from, or offering alternatives to the old 2-year contracts.

Cable TV: According to MarketWatch, consumers are canceling cable and switching to lower-cost online services, such as Hulu and Netflix, which provide much of the same programming at a fraction of the price.

Credit Cards with Points or Miles Programs:Many card issuers are devaluing their rewards programs by requiring cardholders to spend more in order to get rewards and they are adding on annual fees anywhere from $30 to $75.